Policies

III:00:06 Student Complaint Procedures

Purpose

All student complaints must be addressed. The purpose of this policy is to identify and define types of student complaints and outline the procedures a student must follow to file a complaint. Any student complaints that are unresolved in the preliminary investigation must follow the institutional procedures outlined in VSCC Policy III:00:05.

Types of Complaints

A student complaint against a faculty member.

A student complaint against non-faculty employees.

A student complaint against another student.

All other complaints against the College.

Student complaints involving sexual or racial harassment are heard by the Vice President for Student Services. The Vice President for Student Services will initiate procedures found in VSCC policy V:02:19 to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint is conducted. The student has 365 days to report an incident of sexual/racial harassment. All other complaints should be filed within seven business days following the incident.

Students with disabilities who have complaints regarding physical accessibility of the college campus or regarding a complaint about the instructional accommodations they are receiving should follow the guidelines and procedures listed in the Disability Handbook.

Grade appeals must be submitted to the Academic Status and Grade Appeals Committee via the Office of Records & Registration.

Refer to the VSCC Student Handbook for an explanation of and procedures to address areas of academic misconduct.

Procedures

Student complaint against a faculty member:

In the case of a student complaint against a faculty member involving a classroom experience, the student will be directed to speak with the faculty member.

If the complaint is not resolved with the faculty member, then the student should speak to the Department Chair or Division Dean in absence of the Chair.

If further resolution is required, then a formal written complaint must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Services. The Vice President for Student Services will work with all parties to bring resolution to the complaint, noting that matters pertaining to academic or instructional complaints will be forwarded to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for investigation and determination of resolution.

Student complaint against non-faculty employees:

In the case of a student complaint against a non-faculty employee, the student will be directed to speak with the employee's supervisor.

If not resolved, the student will be directed to speak with the appropriate Vice President.

If further resolution is required then a formal written complaint must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Services.

The Vice President for Student Services will contact the Director of Human Resources and together investigate the complaint to resolve the issue.

Student complaint against another student:

In the case of a student complaint against another student the student will be directed to speak with the Vice President for Student Services.

The Vice President for Student Services with assistance from Campus Police will investigate the complaint to resolve the issue.

All other complaints against the College:

In the case of a complaint against the College, the student will be directed to speak with the Vice President for Student Services.

The Vice President for Student Services with assistance from Campus Police will speak with the student and all parties involved to bring resolution to the complaint.

If a resolution is reached to any of the complaints outlined above, no further action will be required. If a resolution is not reached through a preliminary investigation, the institutional hearing procedures outlined in VSCC policy III:00:05 must be followed.

All documentation of the investigation of any written complaint will be kept on file in the Office of the Vice President for Student Services.

Complaints Related to Accreditation and Violation of Applicable State Laws

Under the Federal Program Integrity rules (34 CFR 600.9 (a)(1)(i)(A)), the Tennessee Board of Regents system office has been designated as the authority to investigate complaints concerning Volunteer State Community (VSCC) related to institutional accreditation or violations of State laws. Before a complaint is filed the student or prospective student must attempt to resolve the matter with VSCC. If the matter cannot be resolved, a complaint may be filed with the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1415 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 340, Nashville, TN 37217.
TBR Source: TBR Meetings, August 17, 1973; September 30, 1983
VSCC Source: December 15, 2008, President's Cabinet; June 27, 2011, President's Cabinet

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